"Excellent hospital care but limited follow up"

I recently had reason to visit my GP.  I was under the care of Dr Koser at Dr Sardar & Partners, Portland Road, Kilmarnock.  She was excellent and listened to me and immediately acted on my concerns. I was referred for an ultrasound at Ayr Hospital and a CT scan at Crosshouse Hospital; every NHS staff member I met was excellent.  I would like to highlight the excellent care received from Dr Inyang. He was professional and compassionate throughout.  I can not thank him and praise him enough.

One comment I would like to make, that to me would improve the whole process is the communication methods.  Contact was made through letters. I find it frustrating that in this day and age we still rely on the postal service, when use of emails could improve efficiency and speed. I found waiting for appointments to arrive by mail added to the stress of the situation. This can be highlighted by the fact that this method of communication could not keep up the events. My situation was considered urgent and I was lucky enough to receive a cancellation and my operation was carried out very quickly. In the weeks following my operation I received 2 further letters (one of which had been opened) and the other, which was dated after my operation date, informed me that I had now been placed on the waiting list. 

I found the experience of my hospital stay to be excellent, even given the additional strains of the pandemic. However, my operation took place on a Friday and I was discharged on the Monday. Given the nature of the operation, I had expected some additional support in the first few days to help my recovery i.e physiotherapy or further check ups. I received no help, other than the ward nurses and it was commented at the time that had I been in during the week, I would have had follow up care. 

Overall, I was satisfied by my experience of treatment within the NHS and make these comments to highlight small improvements that may help remove stress for other patients, during what can be a very difficult time.